AROUND THE MAJORS : ANGELS : Snow Studies 'Art of Hitting'

Manager Marcel Lachemann says J.T. Snow reminds him of Joe Rudi, a teammate of his with the Oakland A's from 1969 to '71.

"When he got beat on a pitch, he'd still usually manage to put the ball in play," Lachemann said. "He might get jammed and fist it somewhere or maybe hit it off the end of the bat.

"Most of those probably end up in outs, but at least you have a chance to get a base hit or maybe advance a runner. Strike out and you always end up on the bench."

Snow, who fought off pitches for opposite-field, two-run hits with two out on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, is batting .364 with runners in scoring position and two out.

"I think it all starts with the overall approach," Snow said. "When you get two strikes on you, you have to give a little. I guess I'm just learning the art of hitting. I'm just trying to see the ball and not being overly analytical."

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Chili Davis, sidelined because of a strained hamstring, took batting practice Thursday and said his leg didn't bother him. But Davis, who received a cortisone injection Tuesday, hasn't tried to run and probably won't until Wednesday.

"That will be the big test," Davis said. "They want to give the shot a chance to do its stuff."

This is Davis' first stint on the disabled list since 1990 when he sat out three weeks because of a strained lower back.

"What's made this one easier is that the guys are playing well and giving me time to heal," Davis said. "If the team had gone downhill, I probably would have tried to rush back."

Lachemann isn't worried that the time off will hurt Davis' offense. He figures the veteran designated hitter will quickly pick up where he left off. Davis has the second-highest batting average in the majors (.359).

"I don't think the time off will be that big of a deal for Chili," Lachemann said. "He swung the bat really well today."

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The Angels will put infielder Spike Owen on the 15-day disabled list today, retroactive to Thursday, because of an inflamed left shoulder he injured diving into first base last week in Texas. Owen aggravated the injury during batting practice this week.

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Best Buy Dept.: Left-handed reliever Bob Patterson, who took a cut in his base salary from $600,000 to $225,000 this season, has given up a run in only seven of his 27 appearances. He has inherited 31 runners and six have scored.